Slow, gradual external fixator distraction in acquired ankle and foot contracture.

BACKGROUND

External fixators have been noted to have a place in the orthopaedic management of problems involving the ankle and foot. We here report a case of ankle and foot contracture managed by soft tissue release and slow, gradual external fixator distraction.

METHOD: A case report of a patient with acquired ankle and foot contracture and discussion of relevant literature.

RESULTS

A 9-year old female presented to our out-patient clinic with features of right ankle and foot contracture following treatment by traditional bone setters 6 years earlier. The contracture was fixed at 30 degrees. She had soft tissue release and slow, gradual external fixator distraction which corrected the foot to a plantigrade position. Subsequently she had skin grafting for the skin defect. After removal of the external fixator she was placed on a below knee cast and commenced weight bearing. The cast was removed after three weeks and the patient has continued to bear weight on a plantigrade foot.

CONCLUSION

External fixators have a definite place in contracture release and should be widely utilized.